The 91,854 acre Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest is located in
the central section of Adirondack Park. There are over 14 miles of
established hiking trails located in Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild
Forest. This wild forest borders or contains 44 ponds and
other small lakes, as
well as portions of the Hudson River and much of the Boreas River. Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest
lies both east and west of NY 28N in western Essex County.

The
main attractions of the area are the lakes and ponds, the Boreas River and Vanderwhacker Mountain. The
Boreas River, a designated scenic river, is truly a beautiful Adirondack river. The Wolf Pond, Durgin Brook and Lester Flow sections of the upper
Boreas are well known to bird clubs. These are plant and bird life
communities of unusual interest, particularly in the more boreal
forms.

The 3386 footVanderwhacker Mountain with its fire tower
and spectacular views of the high
peaks is a very popular hiking destination. The summit offers
possibly the nicest panorama of the high peaks from the southern
Adirondacks. The drive to the trailhead along Moose Club Road is
very rough. Other popular trails within the area
lead to Stony Pond,
Cheney Pond, Lester Flow, Rankin Pond, and the Boreas River.

For those adventurers looking for more of a challenge and
remoteness in this wild forest can try bushwhacking to the summits of 3675 foot
Cheney Cobble and 3839 foot Rist Mountain. Both mountains, located east of
Tahawus, are trail less and difficult to reach due to location. We are
unsure of any views from either mountain. One trail that you'll get many great
views is the trail to Moxham Mountain.
Built in 2012, the 2.7 mile trail features many overlooks as it winds its way to
the summit of Moxham Mountain.

You'll find two lean to's in the wild forest, with one at
Stony Pond and one at Cheney Pond. The one at Cheney Pond are only
accessible via boat. You'll also find roadside campsites along Boreas
Road, North Woods Club Road, NY 28N and one along Moose Club Road. There are a
total of 44 designated primitive campsites. A future section of the North Country National Scenic
Trail will travel through the wild forest. Look below for maps, a list
of the hiking trails and a
list of the popular destinations in this wild
forest (many maps were courtesy of Andy Arthur from andyarthur.org). You
can also find more information on this area at the DEC website.

Hiking Trails in Vanderwhacker
Mountain Wild Forest

Tower Trailtravels
2.5 miles and ascends 1,650 feet from the Vanderwhacker Fire Tower
Trailhead to the summit of Vanderwhacker Mountain
(3,386 feet). The Vanderwhacker Mountain Fire Tower is located on
the summit and is part of the ADK Fire Tower Challenge. The only views
on the mountain are from the cab of the fire tower. The 360° view
includes the HighPeaks
region to the north, the BoreasRiver
valley to the east and the spectacular scenery of the Adirondacks
spreads out for many miles in every direction.

Boreas River Loop
Trailtravels
2.0 miles along the BoreasRiver
between two trailheads along NY
28N. The trail weaves through the Boreas Hardwoods region, with many
mature, large diameter northern hardwoods. The trail descends 120
feet from in the first 0.6 mile from the trailhead, then climbs 60
feet in the next 0.5 mile and remains basically level for the
remainder of the distance to the bridge over the Boreas River. A
0.75-mile hike that ascends, or descends, 135 feet along NY 28N
completes the loop.

Lindsey Marsh Trailtravels
2.0 miles from the Lindsey Marsh Trailhead to Lindsey Marsh.

Hewitt Pond Trailtravels
5.0 miles between the Hewitt Pond Trailhead and the Stony Pond
Trailhead and provides access to Hewitt Pond, Barnes Pond, Center
Pond, and Stony Pond. From north to south the trail ascends 515 feet
in the first two miles, then descends 170 feet in the next 2 miles
to the shore of Stony Pond. The trail climbs 155 feet from Stony
Pond in 0.5 mile, then descends 100 feet to the southern trailhead.

Center Pond Trailtravels
0.2 miles from Hewitt Pond Trail, approximately halfway between the
Hewitt Pond Trailhead and the Stony Pond Trailhead, to the shore
of Center Pond.
The trail descends 100 feet to the pond in the last 0.1 mile.

Stony Pond Trailtravels
1.3 miles from the Hewitt Trail at the outlet of Stony Pond and
provides access to Little Sherman Pond and Big Sherman Pond. The
trail ascends 80 feet in the first 0.25 mile before descending 180
feet to the northeastern shore of Little Sherman Pond. The trail
continues as a designated snowmobile trail only beyond the ponds as
it crosses private lands, so there is NO HIKING PAST THE PONDS.

29th Pond Trailis
a short spur trail off the Stony Pond Trail to the shore of the pond
and a designated tent site.

Lost Pond Mountain
Trailtravels
5.0 miles and ascents 800 feet between North Woods Club Road
and the Stony Pond Trail. The trail is mainly used as a snowmobile
trail.

This trail may become part of the future North Country
National Scenic Trail.

Rankin Pond Trailtravels
0.4 mile from its trailhead to the eastern shore of Rankin Pond. The
scenic trail ascends 105 feet in the first 0.1 mile before
descending 180 feet in the remainder of the distance to the pond.

This trail may become part of the future North Country National
Scenic Trail.

Oak Ridge Trail travels
1.9 miles from the Raymond Pond Trail to the Schaefer Trail.

Schaefer Trailtravels
4.5 miles and ascends 2,550 feet from the North Creek Ski Bowl
Trailhead to the summit of GoreMountain
(3,586 feet elevation). The trailhead and first part of the trail
are located on lands owned by the town of Johnsburg. The remainder
of the trail and the summit of GoreMountain
are located on the intensive use classifiedGoreMountainSkiCenter
which is managed by theOlympic
Regional Development Authority.

Moxham Mountain Trailtravels
2.3 miles and ascends 1,000 feet from the trailhead to the 2361 foot
summit of the mountain. The open summit provides views of the Hudson
River Valley, Gore Mountain and the Central Adirondacks.